Response to Press Inquiries on NHMC's Comments in the FCC's "Future of Media" Proceeding

In January of 2009 NHMC filed a petition for inquiry, asking the FCC to examine the extent of hate speech in media, its effects on communities, and to explore non-regulatory ways to counteract any of its negative effects. In May 2010 NHMC filed comments in the FCC’s proceeding about the Future of Media in the Digital Age. In that proceeding NHMC responded to a very direct inquiry: describe the current media landscape. NHMC’s comment explained that speech advocating violence against Latinos and others is prevalent in our media. NHMC then asked the FCC to grant its petition for inquiry to examine the issue further.

Over the past couple of weeks, the nature of NHMC’s campaign to combat hate speech in media has been misconstrued or downright misrepresented. Despite that NHMC has been crystal clear that it is not – and WILL NOT – seek content regulation of hate speech in media, others have suggested otherwise. People have also insinuated that NHMC wants the FCC to censor hate speech. Such claims are false.

To be plain, NHMC has simply asked the FCC to study hate speech in media and whether or not it may lead to violence. Nothing more and nothing less. It is completely appropriate to ask the FCC to conduct such a study, as the agency has a history of examining the role of media in society. There is no doubt that the issue of hate speech may cause uncomfortable conversations for all parties involved, but that fact alone should not foreclose the discussion – indeed having the discussion is the very essence of what the First Amendment is all about.